When I first came to South Africa as a shameless economic mercenary in 1981 there was only one radio station worth listening to. However, not knowing any better I first tuned into the South African Broadcasting Corporation's version of the morning news. Being an early riser I managed to catch the farming report before six o'clock, a programme which would have been invaluable had I been planning to plant mealies that day.
Then came the officially approved English news bulletin followed by a lady called Bea Reed whose reassuring tones managed to convince most white South Africans for years that god was in his heaven and all was well with the world, whatever the Rev Leon Sullivan might be saying.
At some point there was a pause for a religious slot called "think on these things" which usually involved a reading from the scriptures. This was introduced by a man whose voice was syrupy enough to suggest that he may actually have god's ex-directory telephone number. Much as I adored Bea Reed's voice I decided that Radio Today was not for me.
I asked a colleague what I should I be listening to on the drive to work every morning and he suggested a very young radio station called 702 which broadcasted on the medium wave band. So I reset all the radios I owned to 702 kHz AM and tried not to drive into an underground parking area if there was something interesting happening on air.
In those days my constant companion on the morning drive to work was the legendary John Berks whose prank calls and surreal morning exercise routine frequently reduced me to helpless laughter. It was easy to see which other drivers were tuned into 702 because they were also having trouble controlling their vehicles.
The first fifteen minutes at the office would be spent discussing Berksy's morning routine over a coffee. In those days 702 was still a music station so in between all the nonsense there were some good musical interludes. It was easy listening and I don't recall arriving at work feeling nearly as stressed as I do when I listen to the depressing content of Talk Radio 702 these days.